Amar Singh confident nuke deal will get nod this month

PTISep 13, 2008, 11.40am IST

NEW YORK: Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has expressed confidence that the Indo-US civil nuclear deal will get the crucial nod from American Congress this month, even as he lashed out at political rivals in India for opposing the landmark agreement.

Following discussions with Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton here, Singh said the former first lady had assured him that Democrats would not hinder the passage of the deal through the US Congress.

"With Republicans already on board, there is no reason that the 123 agreement with India would not go through this month," he told reporters.

Singh also said that American firms would not be put on disadvantage when India orders equipment following the operationalisation of the agreement.

Accusing dissenting parties in India of placing politics ahead of the country's interest, Singh said the deal would enable the country to achieve energy security.

"Former President APJ Abdul Kalam was among the renowned scientists who had supported deal and they simply could not have done it if it was not in the interest of the country," the SP general secretary pointed out.

Samajwadi Party's support to the Congress-led government played a crucial role in enabling the Indian administration approach the IAEA for its approval to the India-specific safeguards agreement.

Chairman of the Indian American for Democrats group, Sant Chatwal, also said he had positive feelings for the deal during his meetings with several ranking Democratic lawmakers.

"We are working day and night to ensure that the deal goes through before the Congress adjourns on September 26 as it is in the interest of both countries," he added.